Pusa Tejas (HI 8759): A milestone variety boosting Indian durum wheat production

Abstract

HI 8759 (Pusa Tejas), a high yielding, disease resistant and biofortified durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) variety was released in 2017 for cultivation in central wheat growing zone. It was recognised as the first naturally biofortified durum wheat variety with high protein (12%), iron (42.1 ppm) and zinc content (42.8 ppm). Alongwith yield and quality characteristics, physical grain quality traits, viz. high 1000-grain weight (53–56 g), hectolitre weight (83.1 kg/hl) and good grain appearance have fetched HI 8759 huge popularity among the durum wheat growers. HI 8759 was the only durum wheat variety among the top ten indented wheat varieties in India for last three successive years (2019–2021) which indicates its acceptance and demand among the farming community. The popularity of Pusa Tejas was boosted by the social media networks, viz. YouTube, WhatsApp and Facebook and this technology could diffuse among the different farming communities all over India making it one of the best choices among wheat varieties available.